Monday, February 28, 2005

if we should join Amazon's shipping program, where you pay a yearly fee and all you don't have to pay shipping charges. For what it's worth, Instapundit has given this a positive review.

UPDATE: My wife responds:

I read your post about the positive review of Amazon's unlimited shipping. The reviewer mentioned getting energy bars off Amazon which got me thinking. I went to Amazon and started typing in the stuff I buy at Sam's, Office Max, and Target. It's all there. I could do all my shopping on line and never have to go to town again. Bruu Ha Haaaaa (Evil laugh). I would like to try this unlimited shipping deal.

6 Comments:

I already have Amazon Prime and you ought to know it does not apply to everything that comes up when you type stuff in the search box. Amazon acts as a middleman between its customers and a lot of outside sellers, and Amazon Prime does not apply to that stuff. For example, when I typed in Vernor's Ginger Ale the result was from an outside seller and when I went through the motions of ordering it a $20 shipping fee on what is a $12 item came up.

As Amazon says: "Products sold by third parties, such as Toys"R" Us and Babies "R" Us, or through third-party areas such as, Marketplace, Auctions and/or zShops, are NOT eligible."

Here's the full list of exceptions: "The program is limited to products sold by Amazon.com. Gift certificates are not eligible for expedited shipping under Amazon Prime. Some Amazon.com products are excluded, including, for example, oversize or heavy items, items regulated as hazardous materials, and other items with special shipping characteristics. Products sold by third parties, such as Toys"R" Us and Babies "R" Us, or through third-party areas such as, Marketplace, Auctions and/or zShops, are NOT eligible."

I joined Amazon Prime and it will be worth it for me, especially because the free shipping is two-day service. However, if you buy a lot of items that Amazon sells through other merchants, you should realize they may not be covered.

I joined Amazon Prime and it will be worth it for me, especially because the free shipping is two-day service. However, if you buy a lot of items that Amazon sells through other merchants, you should realize they may not be covered.

This has been a great deal for us. As my husband's birthday approached I was able to search for unusual stuff, and if I saw something just click. No worries about grouping shipments or if cost plus shipping might be lower elsewhere. A last minute gift: an ipod. A non gift impulse buy: a dozen black socks on sale.